Protecting Presence at Weddings
I used to think my job was to capture the perfect shot.
The right light. The right angle. The right moment, timed just so.
But somewhere along the way, I realised something that completely changed how I photograph weddings. My real job isn’t to chase perfection. It’s to protect the day itself.
What does that mean?
It means I’m there to guard the atmosphere. To keep the couple grounded in what’s actually happening around them. To make sure they’re not pulled out of their own wedding just so I can tick off a shot list.
Because here’s what I know now: the photos matter, but the feeling of the day matters more.
If you’re planning a wedding in Scotland and want a day that feels calm and real, this matters even more. You don’t want to spend your wedding performing for the camera. You want to spend it being present.
And that’s what I’m there to help you do.
Why Protecting Presence Matters
Weddings move quickly. Blink and something beautiful has already happened.
The problem is, a lot of traditional wedding photography pulls you out of those moments. You’re told to stop, to pose, to do it again but look more natural this time.
And suddenly, you’re not in your wedding anymore. You’re watching it happen while trying to smile on cue.
That’s not what I want for my couples.
When you’re grounded and fully there, the emotions are real. The connections are real. The photos show it because you weren’t pretending or performing.
Relaxed wedding photography doesn’t mean stepping back completely. It’s about knowing when to give space, when to step forward, and when to simply let things breathe. The best moments often happen when no one’s directing them.
For introverts, or anyone who finds too much attention draining, this is especially important. You need a photographer who understands that, someone who won’t make you feel like you’re on stage all day. Someone who’ll let you just be.
How I Approach Presence at Weddings
I move quietly. I watch. I wait.
I’m not the photographer constantly waving you over or rearranging your hands. I’m the one in the background noticing the way your mum teared up when you walked in, or how your partner reached for your hand during the vows.
My job is to let you stay in the moment, not pull you out of it.
That means noticing the moments as they unfold, paying attention to the flow of the day, and being ready for whatever happens, without forcing it.
When I do take you aside for photos, it’s brief. Ten or fifteen minutes, usually. I guide you gently, but mostly I let you walk, talk, and just be together. The photos that come from that feel easy because they were easy.
The rest of the day, I keep my distance and let things unfold naturally. Couples often tell me they barely noticed me there, and that’s exactly how I like it.
Photography, to me, is about witnessing, not controlling.
This approach works beautifully for relaxed weddings, small gatherings, or even a village hall wedding. You don’t need a big production to get beautiful photos. You just need the space to be yourselves.
What I’ve Learned About What Truly Matters
A while ago, I shot a wedding where everything went slightly off-script. The timings shifted, the light wasn’t what I’d hoped for, and a few of the big moments didn’t happen the way I’d pictured them.
But the couple were beaming. They laughed with their friends, hugged their families, and soaked in every moment.
And the photos turned out beautifully. Not because I nailed every technical detail, but because they were fully present. You could see it in their faces.
That’s when it really clicked for me. The couple’s experience isn’t a nice bonus. It’s the whole point.
I can chase the perfect shot all day, but if the couple feels stressed or disconnected, it shows. And no amount of good lighting will fix that.
So now, I protect presence first. The photos follow.
Whether you’re planning a small wedding or something more DIY, remember this: your day is yours. The photos should reflect how it felt, not how it was supposed to look.
A Final Thought for Couples
Your wedding day will go by quickly. Everyone says it, and they’re right.
But it doesn’t have to feel like a blur.
When you’re allowed to stay grounded and fully there, the day slows down just enough. You remember more. You feel more. And when you look back at your photos, you’ll recognise yourselves in them.
That’s what I want for you.
I limit myself to around twenty weddings a year so I can be fully present for each couple. So I can get to know you beforehand, check in during planning, and show up ready to protect your presence when it matters most.
If you’re an introvert, neurospicy, or simply someone who wants a wedding that feels real, I’d love to work with you. Why not get in touch?
Because the best photos aren’t the ones where you look perfect.
They’re the ones where you look like yourselves.